To all of you, anyone I've missed, everyone I love, and those with whom I continue to share this planet, may you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a happy and sweet new year. L'Shana Tova. Read More

If our rabbis can't even keep compassion in their hearts across halachic lines, what chance do we rank-and-file Jews of differing denominations have of making peace amongst ourselves? Maybe more of a chance than we think. Read More

The Omer countdown from Pesach to Shavuot anticipates the celebration of receiving the Torah at Sinai and honors unhappier moments in Jewish history. Last year I ignored it. This year, I threw out my razor. Read More

Happy Chanukah to all my readers! The festival of lights is a good time to remember our Jewish holidays are for everyone. So even if you're over 12, light that chanukiyah with pride. All eight nights. Read More

Last December, on a Jewish journey and with my possessions in storage, I celebrated my first tree-free holiday season. This year, officially Jewish and back in my own apartment, I'm finally faced with the December Dilemma. Jews don't put up Christmas trees, and there's no such thing as a Chanukah bush. And then I got an idea. Read More

The High Holy Days that marked the beginning of 5772 also marked the end of my first observed Jewish year. I expected the Days of Awe to be fulfilling. But what was missing turned out to be the best part of all. Read More

MICHAEL BENAMI DOYLE

I'm a former New York Catholic and current Chicago Jew. I believe in social justice, big cities, and public transit. I have a planning degree, a communications strategy shop, and an annual passport to Disneyland. I’ve been with my partner for five years. I've written this blog for 10 years. And I just reunited with my family after 20 years. I'm the luckiest man in the world.

WORDS CHANGE THE WORLD

Michael Benami Doyle is the principal of BENAMI MEDIA, a communications strategy and positioning shop that offers consulting services to help individuals and organizations tell their stories, grow awareness, and make change happen.

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